A SHOT IN THE BACK

Evening Star, Issue 24296, 10 September 1942, Page 4

A SHOT IN THE BACK

CONSTABLE'S COLD-BLOODED CRIME SENTENCE OF SEVEN YEARS (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 10. Police Constable Herbert Hunter Barrett, who pleaded guilty at Kaitaia, North Auckland, last week to having attempted to murder a Dalmatian by shooting him in the back when he was walking behind the man in a lonely bush spot at Lake Ohia, came before Mr Justice Pair in the Supreme Court to-day for sentence. Defending counsel, Mr lloynolds, drew attention to a statement made by Barrett at one stage of the case, that no one knew how he fought against an awful urge which was too strong for him, until the moment arrived when he realised what he had done. There were seven bullets in the revolver. After two were fired the Dalmatian turned round, and Barrett awoke to realisation, and had since suffered great agony. He was 41 years old, with a wife and two daughters, and was about to be transferred on promotion to Waiuku. He had an excellent police record. Mr Cleal, for the Crown, said the evidence showed the crime was premeditated, the motive being destruction of evideiice of a loan of £250. The offence brought disgrace on the uniform. Prisoner’s salary and allowances for 1941 totalled £373. with a free house and cost of living allowance. The Judge said it was painful to see a man with such a good record up for sentence on so grave a charge, but for planned and deliberate attempt to murder there could bo no excuse. The offence was not the sudden surge of some evil influence, but carefully thought out. There was no provocation of any kind. It was a coldblooded attemp.t to avoid repayment to a benefactor of money which was not repayable for two years, and the interest was moderate. The least sentence which ho felt it has duty to impose was seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour.